The idea of fast, unlimited, wired broadband arriving at the door, like it does in London or Seoul, has felt like a distant dream.

MTN FibreX is trying to change that story. Rebranded and relaunched in April 2025, it has grown from a quiet niche product into Nigeria’s dominant fixed broadband service in less than twelve months. As of February 2026, FibreX holds approximately 88.7% of Nigeria’s entire fixed broadband market.

The Numbers So far:

“Our goal is clear, between 2026 and 2028, we want FibreX to reach over 8 million homes across Nigeria. This is about empowering people to connect and thrive in the digital economy.” — Egerton Idehen, Chief Broadband Officer, MTN Nigeria.

What Exactly is MTN FibreX?

FibreX is MTN Nigeria’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband service. Physical fibre-optic cables are run directly into your home or business, delivering internet speeds that a mobile SIM card simply cannot match, with no data cap, no throttling, and no Fair Usage Policy (FUP) hidden in the fine print.

The service was formerly known as MTN Fibre Broadband and existed quietly for nearly a decade with very modest adoption, ranging between 2,000 and 9,000 users at any given time.

The April 2025 rebrand to FibreX coincided with aggressive expansion, a more competitive pricing structure, and a clear strategic mandate: become Nigeria’s largest FTTH operator, by a wide margin.

It’s working. By January 2026, FibreX had 89,441 subscribers, a 658% jump from 11,794 in January 2025. The biggest single-month surge came in September 2025, when the service added 16,640 new users (a 56.8% month-on-month jump). The highest recorded monthly increase since MTN started the service nearly 10 years ago.

The Plans: What You Pay, What You Get

Plans in 2026 range from ₦30,000/month to ₦200,000/month, covering speeds of 50 Mbps to 1GB. All plans are fully unlimited with no speed throttling. The router is provided free-to-use, and installation is free in covered areas. All plans also offer symmetrical upload and download speeds.

The Honest Verdict: Pros & Cons

The Upsides

Areas of concern: 

FibreX vs Starlink vs Spectranet

The honest take from multiple reviewers in early 2026 is consistent: if FibreX cable (over-the-air) has been laid on your street, it is the most cost-effective unlimited home internet option available in Nigeria today.

The challenge remains coverage, Starlink still wins where fibre hasn’t reached, but it costs more than four times as much in the first year when you factor in the hardware kit.

The Elephant In the Room: 9,218 Fibre Cuts

Here is where we have to be straight with you. MTN FibreX has a reliability problem, and it’s not entirely MTN’s fault, but it is MTN’s problem to solve.

In 2025, MTN recorded 9,218 fibre cable cuts across Nigeria, averaging more than 25 per day. Road construction crews sliced through buried cables. Vandals targeted infrastructure.

Cable thieves did what cable thieves do. The result: customers experienced outages that lasted hours, sometimes days, with sparse communication from the company during the downtime.

“For the past three days, the MTN FibreX network has been absolutely terrible, unstable connection, frequent downtimes, and speeds nowhere near what was promised. It’s been oversold.” – Nnamdi Nwabuisi, MD, Nikenga.com (via LinkedIn)

Dr. Karl Toriola, MTN’s CEO publicly acknowledged the issue and pledged accountability. But acknowledgement alone doesn’t restore the connection of a remote worker on a deadline.

The company logged over 1.6 million customer complaints through its service channels in 2025, a figure that should sit uncomfortably in every board review.

This is arguably the biggest risk to FibreX’s growth trajectory. Nigeria needs better legislation to protect buried or ‘over-the-air’ infrastructure, stronger penalties for vandalism, and better coordination between telecoms operators and road construction authorities. Until that systemic fix arrives, no amount of cable-laying will fully solve the outage problem.

Who is FibreX Actually for?

The Big Picture: What this Means for Nigeria

FibreX is not just a product launch. It’s a bet on a different version of Nigeria’s digital future, one where home broadband is as normal as owning a TV.

Nigeria’s broadband penetration reached 53.07% by January 2026, up from 45.61% a year earlier. But the vast majority of that is mobile broadband.

Fixed wired connections remain a rounding error compared to 104 million mobile broadband subscriptions.

MTN’s ambition to connect 8 million homes by 2028, a 160-fold increase from current levels, is the kind of infrastructure push that, if achieved, would fundamentally reshape how Nigerian families work, learn, and create.

It aligns directly with the National Broadband Plan’s target of 70% broadband penetration and the expansion of Nigeria’s fibre backbone from 35,000 km to 125,000 km.

But a 160-fold increase is a massive ask. Today’s 110,564 FibreX subscribers are impressive as a growth story. As a fraction of 8 million homes, it is 1.4%.

The distance between here and there requires capital (MTN spent ₦1 trillion in capex in 2025, much of it on fibre), policy support, and, critically, a resolution to the vandalism and fibre-cut crisis that is simultaneously the biggest operational headache and the most persistent threat to consumer trust.

“We are going to be, by a country mile, the largest fibre-to-the-home operator, and we’ll also eventually provide redundancy solutions where you have a combination of fibre and fixed wireless access so that at no point in time do you ever experience any outage.” — Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria

The Bottom Line

MTN FibreX is the most compelling home broadband option in Nigeria if it has reached your street. The pricing is genuinely competitive, ₦30,000 a month for unlimited 50 Mbps, with free installation and a free router, is hard to argue with.

The speed tiers cover every use case from a student’s bedroom to a small business office. And the absence of data caps or throttling removes the daily anxiety that defines Nigeria’s mobile data experience.

The caveats are real, though. The fibre-cut problem is not cosmetic, it is a structural weakness in Nigeria’s physical infrastructure that no single company can fix alone.

The coverage map still leaves most of the country unserved. And new subscribers need to budget at least ₦30,000/month from day one.

But the direction of travel is unmistakably right. The 658% subscriber growth in a single year reflects genuine product-market fit. The 8-million-home ambition, if even 30% is achieved by 2028, would represent a qualitative shift in how millions of Nigerians experience the internet.

For too long, home internet or braodband in Nigeria has meant rationed megabytes and a hotspot shared across six devices. FibreX isn’t the finished article. But it might just be the first believable step toward something better.

Overall Rating

The company said the acquisition will strengthen its low Earth orbit project, known as Project Kuiper, though it still trails SpaceX and its Starlink service by a wide margin.

Through the deal, Amazon gains Globalstar’s existing satellites, spectrum licences and infrastructure. That includes about two dozen satellites already in orbit, which will support its drive into direct-to-device services.

This technology allows mobile phones to connect directly to satellites without relying on ground towers, a feature seen as key for emergency use and coverage in remote areas.

Amazon plans to roll out its own satellite internet service later this year. It is also working towards deploying about 3,200 satellites by 2029, with a regulatory deadline requiring roughly half of that number to be in orbit by July next year.

Globalstar’s network will continue to support services already used by Apple devices. The company powers features such as Emergency SOS and Find My on iPhones and Apple Watches, and Amazon confirmed it has signed an agreement to maintain those services.

Apple had invested about $1.5 billion in Globalstar in 2024, securing a 20% stake to expand its satellite-based communication features. A new network backed by Apple is expected to increase Globalstar’s satellite count to 54.

Amazon said the acquisition will also allow it to introduce direct-to-device services from 2028. The system is expected to support voice, text and data connections, particularly in areas where mobile networks are unavailable.

Panos Panay, senior vice president of devices and services at Amazon, said: “There are billions of customers out there living, travelling, and operating in places beyond the reach of existing networks, and we started Amazon Leo to help bridge that divide.”

He added: “By combining Globalstar’s proven expertise and strong foundation with Amazon’s customer-obsession and innovation, customers can expect faster, more reliable service in more places, keeping them connected to the people and things that matter most.”

Despite the expansion, Amazon still faces strong competition. Starlink already operates the largest satellite network in the world, with more than 10,000 satellites and over 9 million users globally.

The service accounts for a significant share of SpaceX’s revenue and is growing through partnerships with telecom operators, including T-Mobile.

Analysts say scale is a big advantage for SpaceX. However, Amazon’s access to Globalstar’s spectrum could help it move faster in direct-to-device services, an area where competition is increasing.

Paul Jacobs, Globalstar’s chief executive, said: “We have long believed low Earth orbit satellite constellations offer the most effective path to truly connect users and devices anywhere and anytime.”

The deal offers Globalstar shareholders $90 per share, or the option to receive Amazon stock. That represents a premium of more than 30% compared with the company’s share price before talks became public.

Shares in Globalstar rose after the announcement, while Amazon’s stock also moved higher.

The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance from the Federal Communications Commission, and the achievement of certain deployment milestones.

The company said the trial focused on locations with no terrestrial signal. In those areas, Starlink Mobile connected directly to 4G smartphones using its satellite network.

Users were able to send messages, make WhatsApp calls, check maps, and complete transactions on the Airtel app.

Sunil Taldar, chief executive officer of Airtel Africa, said: “We are thrilled to move from announcement to actionable steps with our partners at SpaceX. This testing phase in Kenya is a testament to our commitment to expanding global access.

“By integrating Starlink Mobile’s technology, we are ensuring that our customers remain connected even when they travel beyond our terrestrial network.”

The company now plans to study the results from Kenya before expanding to its other markets. Airtel operates in 14 African countries and serves more than 170 million customers. However, rollout will depend on approvals from regulators in each country.

At the same time, the scope of the service is expected to grow. Airtel and SpaceX are preparing to introduce voice calls and wider data services using the next version of the technology, known as Starlink Mobile V2. That upgrade is designed to deliver broadband directly to standard mobile phones.

Across Africa, other telecom operators are moving in the same direction. MTN Zambia has already tested similar satellite-to-cell services, including data sessions and financial transactions. Nigeria is also expected to see deployments in 2026, with operators positioning for early entry.

So, this is not an isolated test. It is part of a wider push to eliminate mobile dead zones across the continent.

In Kenya, though, regulators are reviewing the development. The Communications Authority has opened a review into the Airtel-Starlink partnership to assess whether satellite signals could interfere with existing 3G, 4G and 5G networks. There are also proposals to raise satellite licence fees sharply, which could increase the cost of deployment.

Beyond Africa, the market itself is growing commendably. Estimates put the satellite phone segment at $3.87 billion in 2025, increasing to $4.49 billion in 2026. The satellite communications market is projected to reach $27.6 billion next year, with long-term growth expected.

These issues come from network congestion, limited infrastructure in many areas, and heavy reliance on mobile data that usually slows during peak hours.

But 2026 could make a difference. Nigeria is seeing a surge in fibre optic rollouts, a development that promises faster, more reliable internet across the country.

This development is not unique to Nigeria. Similar broadband expansion initiatives are gaining ground in other African markets such as Kenya and South Africa, where demand for stable, high-speed internet continues to rise very fast.

However, “faster internet” goes beyond just speed numbers. It points to a smoother online experience that supports everyday digital activities, from remote work to entertainment, and could fundamentally change how Nigerians connect and interact online.

Much of this progress is being driven by a mix of government programmes and private sector investment aimed at closing the country’s digital divide.

One of the key initiatives is Project BRIDGE, led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The project targets the deployment of 90,000 kilometres of fibre infrastructure nationwide, supported by significant funding, including a $500 million World Bank facility.

With broadband penetration estimated at 48% as of late 2025, Nigeria aims to reach 70% by 2030, with fibre playing a central role.

As these networks expand, internet-dependent activities are expected to become smoother, setting the stage for a more connected urban, suburban and, eventually, rural Nigeria.

Understanding the Fibre Rollout

Fibre-optic internet transmits data as pulses of light through thin strands of glass or plastic, allowing for extremely fast and reliable communication. Unlike older copper-based systems, fibre can carry large volumes of data over long distances without performance loss.

Compared to 4G or 5G mobile networks, fibre delivers more consistent speeds, with fewer disruptions from weather or congestion. Traditional broadband options such as DSL, by contrast, tend to max out at much lower speeds.

In Nigeria, the rollout is being driven by major telecom operators including MTN, Airtel and Glo, alongside infrastructure providers and newer entrants such as Boost ISP, Fibre Sonic and Amazon Kuiper.

Projects like the 90,000-kilometre Project BRIDGE, partly funded through a $500 million World Bank loan and expected to begin delivery in early 2026, are also crucial to expanding nationwide coverage.

Progress, however, is uneven. Urban centres like Lagos and Abuja are seeing faster deployment, while suburban and rural areas continue to lag due to logistical and cost challenges, a pattern common in many developing markets where cities are prioritised first.

What Faster Fibre Means for Streaming in 2026

Better and wider fibre availability could significantly improve streaming adoption in Nigeria. Platforms such as Netflix, YouTube and local services like Showmax would be able to deliver smooth HD and 4K content with minimal buffering, even during peak evening hours.

More reliable connections could also encourage live streaming of concerts, sports and other events, strengthening the creator economy and allowing Nigerian filmmakers and content creators to reach global audiences more easily.

This aligns with broader expectations for growth in Nigeria’s digital economy in 2026.

Homes with multiple connected devices would experience fewer slowdowns, as fibre’s higher bandwidth can support simultaneous usage.

Similar transitions in countries like India have led to a surge in digital content creation, and Nigeria could see a comparable rise in locally produced media that promotes culture and storytelling.

What Faster Fibre Means for Gaming in 2026

For gamers, the biggest advantage of fibre is lower latency, the delay between a player’s action and the game’s response. Fibre networks can reduce latency to milliseconds, replacing frustrating lag with smoother gameplay.

This is especially important for competitive multiplayer titles such as Call of Duty and Fortnite, where split-second reactions matter. It also opens the door to cloud gaming services that stream high-end games without requiring expensive hardware.

In Nigeria, improved connectivity could help grow esports communities, with more tournaments and online leagues emerging in cities like Lagos. Local game developers may also benefit, as faster uploads and easier collaboration make global partnerships more feasible.

As connections stabilise, more African streamers are likely to build audiences on platforms like Twitch, turning gaming into a viable career path.

Advantages of Fibre for Remote Work and Digital Productivity in 2026

Remote work is expanding rapidly in Nigeria, but unreliable internet often disrupts video meetings and file sharing. Fibre connectivity could provide the stability needed for uninterrupted Zoom or Microsoft Teams sessions, reducing the dropouts that frustrate professionals.

For creatives, developers and media workers, faster upload speeds mean large files can be sent in minutes rather than hours, making collaboration with international clients far more efficient.

This reliability could also increase participation in global freelancing platforms such as Upwork, drawing more Nigerians into remote jobs and reshaping work culture amid rising living costs in major cities.

Experiences in countries like the Philippines suggest that better connectivity boosts productivity, and in Nigeria, it may help retain local talent by making remote work viable even outside major hubs.

The Real Challenges Holding Fibre Back

Despite the optimism, rolling out fibre infrastructure is far from simple. High deployment costs, including trenching and securing rights-of-way, slow progress, particularly in densely populated areas.

Power supply is another challenge, as fibre equipment requires stable electricity, often necessitating costly backup systems. Maintenance is also a concern, with vandalism and theft leading to thousands of fibre cuts each year. MTN alone reported more than 9,200 fibre cuts in 2025.

Affordability is a barrier, especially for lower-income households, while last-mile connections to homes in rural or informal settlements are often unreliable. These challenges reflect broader issues faced by emerging markets trying to balance expansion with equitable access.

What to Expect Next: Is 2026 the Breakthrough Year?

In the short term, 2026 could bring visible improvements as the initial phases of Project BRIDGE begin rolling out from the first quarter of the year. Over time, the impact is expected to grow as networks mature and support more advanced digital services.

Fibre will also operate alongside other technologies. It will complement 5G for mobile connectivity and satellite options such as Starlink and Amazon Kuiper for hard-to-reach areas, creating a hybrid connectivity ecosystem.

Consumers are likely to benefit from increased competition among internet service providers, making it important to watch for transparent pricing, reliable service levels and bundled offerings. As seen in other markets, stronger infrastructure usually leads to better value and improved service quality.

Conclusion

Fibre rollout is a powerful enabler for Nigeria’s digital ambitions, especially the 2030 digital economy plan, promising smoother streaming, immersive gaming, and productive remote work.

But fibre is not an omnipotent solution; success is still based on other factors such as smart policies, fair pricing, and widespread access to truly unlock its potential.

In the bigger picture, this could propel Nigeria toward a thriving digital economy, blending local innovation with global connectivity, and making 2026 an important year for what is next.

The network, called TeraWave, will place 5,408 satellites into orbit starting from the fourth quarter of 2027.

Unlike consumer-focused services, Blue Origin says this system is built for governments, data centres and large organisations that need to move large amounts of data reliably and at speed. 

At full capacity, the company claims TeraWave could deliver data rates of up to six terabits per second anywhere on Earth, using optical links between satellites.

The focus is changing from basic broadband to infrastructure that could underpin global computing, national security systems and enterprise operations. Blue Origin says TeraWave is “optimised for enterprise, data centre, and government customers” and could serve up to 100,000 clients worldwide.

This inevitably strengthens Bezos’ competition with Musk. Starlink, operated by SpaceX, is far ahead in scale. By late 2025, it had deployed about 9,300 satellites and built a global user base of more than nine million people across over 155 markets. 

Its model targets households, airlines, ships and businesses, offering typical speeds of 50 to 200 Mbps with low latency.

Elon Musk was quick to respond online, writing on X that “Starlink space to ground laser links will exceed this,” in reference to the speeds Blue Origin is advertising. 

SpaceX has also been pressing regulators to treat satellite systems as essential infrastructure for future wireless networks, showing that it wants formal recognition of Starlink’s strategic role.

What makes TeraWave different is that Blue Origin is building the network as a backbone for future computing needs, including the possibility of data centres operating beyond Earth. 

Musk has openly discussed similar ideas. Commenting last year on the prospect of space-based data centres, he said, “simply scaling up Starlink V3 satellites, which have high-speed laser links would work,” adding: “SpaceX will be doing this.”

Bezos has revealed a similar long-term view, predicting that data centres could begin moving into space within the next decade or two. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai has also weighed in, saying the idea may sound “crazy,” but becomes logical when considering the scale of computing demand ahead.

The announcement also sits alongside Amazon’s rebranded consumer satellite project from Project Kuiper to Leo, with plans for more than 3,000 low-Earth-orbit satellites providing standard broadband. 

In Nigeria, regulators have already cleared Kuiper to operate, granting both Internet Service Provider and International Data Access licences, setting up a direct challenge to Starlink in Africa’s largest telecoms market.

The company will move about 4,400 satellites from roughly 550 kilometres above Earth down to around 480 kilometres over the course of 2026. 

The change affects nearly half of the more than 9,000 Starlink satellites currently in operation and marks one of the largest coordinated orbital shifts ever attempted.

SpaceX says the decision is about risk control. At lower altitudes, failed satellites fall back to Earth much faster, reducing the chance they remain as long-term debris. 

There is also less traffic below 500 kilometres, which lowers the odds of accidental collisions in an increasingly crowded region of space.

Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink engineering, said: “Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits, and will increase space safety in several ways,” adding that “the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, reducing the aggregate likelihood of collision.”

This is a response to challenges that have been building for years. In December 2025, one Starlink satellite suffered what SpaceX described as an anomaly at about 418 kilometres in altitude. 

The spacecraft lost contact and dropped rapidly, suggesting an onboard explosion. Debris was created, rare but serious for a company operating at such scale. 

Around the same period, another Starlink satellite narrowly avoided colliding with a Chinese spacecraft, revealing how thin the margins have become.

Space scientists point to the approaching solar minimum, a phase when the Sun is less active. During this period, Earth’s upper atmosphere contracts, reducing drag on satellites. 

Objects in orbit then stay aloft longer unless they are placed lower. By shifting Starlink down now, SpaceX is ensuring its satellites do not linger in space if something fails.

The reconfiguration is being coordinated with the United States Space Command, regulators, and other satellite operators. With thousands of spacecraft adjusting altitude, traffic management becomes urgent. A single miscalculation could trigger a chain reaction.

SpaceX’s place in orbit makes its choices hard to ignore. In 2025 alone, the company carried out more than 160 Falcon 9 launches, with over 120 missions dedicated to expanding Starlink. 

The network now serves about 9.25 million customers across more than 155 countries, including governments and large organisations. No other operator comes close in scale.

Analysts estimate that by 2030, up to 70,000 satellites could be operating in low Earth orbit if current plans hold. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, OneWeb, and several national programmes are all adding to the congestion. 

Regulators and scientists warn of a “tragedy of the commons”, where unmanaged growth makes parts of orbit unsafe for everyone, including weather, navigation, and scientific missions.

Even with 88% of the population being covered by terrestrial networks, millions are stranded in the digital dark. Airtel Africa, in partnership with SpaceX, says that changes next year.

Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, expanded on the earlier announcement  that Airtel Africa would deploy Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity across its 14 markets. 

“This provides satellite connectivity across all our 14 markets of Airtel Africa, serving about 174 million customers. Airtel Nigeria will launch this service in 2026, providing data for select applications, text messaging, and USSD services,” Balsingh said.

This is a calculated strike at the incessant gaps in Nigeria’s digital sector. Fibre vandalism, inaccessible terrain, and low-density rural populations have long made network expansion expensive and slow. “Some areas are deserts, mountains, or simply too remote for fibre. Satellite connectivity ensures reliable access wherever you go, irrespective of geography,” Balsingh further noted.

Starlink’s first-generation and next-generation satellites will bring high-speed mobile broadband, ensuring smartphone users can access WhatsApp, mobile money, and essential apps even where no terrestrial network exists. 

Airtel Nigeria becomes the first operator in the country to offer this service, powered by 650 satellites for seamless coverage.

Who Benefits?

The press conference also addressed the question of who benefits? Balsingh explained, “It will be a combination of both. While deep rural areas have lower smartphone penetration, there is still a significant population. Connectivity will serve local communities and travellers alike,” he said. Farmers, traders, and seasonal workers can remain connected when moving between towns and remote villages.

Technological advances now make this leap feasible. A decade ago, satellite internet was expensive and impractical for mobile use. Today, falling device prices and SpaceX innovations bring it within reach. 

“Technology moves forward. Today, around 50–55% of our customers use smartphones, up from single digits a decade ago. SpaceX’s innovations make satellite mobile connectivity realistic and scalable,” Balsingh noted.

Airtel Africa is doubling down on investments alongside Starlink. Over the past six months, 700 new sites were rolled out, 99% 4G-ready, while preparations for 5G deployment continue. Home broadband solutions, including Smart Connect outdoor units, will complement mobile coverage, bringing fibre-like connectivity into homes in urban and semi-urban areas.

Beyond coverage, resilience is an indispensable goal. When fibre is cut or vandalised, satellite connectivity acts as a reliable fallback. “This is a big boon for rural markets. We have to ensure the service is well deployed and people don’t feel a difference as they switch seamlessly between these technologies.”

For Airtel Africa, Balsingh stressed that the Starlink partnership isn’t just about technology, but digital inclusion, financial accessibility, and economic empowerment. “We remain committed to our leadership in connectivity innovations that empower individuals, capitalise economic opportunities, and unlock sustainable development.”

Airtel says the Starlink Direct-to-Cell service launch in Nigeria is slated for 2026, pending regulatory approvals, and promises to ensure no community is left disconnected.

This comes after SpaceX, his private aerospace company, launched a December tender offer valuing the firm at $800 billion, double its worth in August, according to two investors who spoke to Forbes. 

Musk, who owns roughly 42% of SpaceX, sees his stake alone jump by an estimated $168 billion, bringing his total net worth to around $677 billion as of Monday noon Eastern Time.

SpaceX is preparing for a public offering in 2026, which could value the company near $1.5 trillion. Even without the IPO, Musk’s SpaceX holdings are now his single most valuable asset. 

Tesla is a major contributor too; his 12% stake in the electric vehicle company is estimated at $197 billion. Meanwhile, Musk is appealing a Delaware court decision that voided parts of his 2018 CEO Performance Award, which Forbes has discounted by 50% pending the outcome, currently estimated at $69 billion.

Musk’s reach extends beyond Tesla and SpaceX. His AI startup, xAI Holdings, is reportedly in talks to raise $15 billion in new funding at a $230 billion valuation, double its March 2025 valuation of $113 billion. Musk owns 53% of xAI, which Forbes estimates at $60 billion.

Tesla shareholders have also approved a record-breaking $1 trillion pay plan for Musk, contingent on achievements such as growing Tesla’s market capitalisation eightfold over the next decade. “Mars shot” targets like this show Musk’s vision of merging electric vehicles with robotics and AI.

Over the past five years, Elon Musk has repeatedly rewritten the record books, making the $600 billion worth no surprise.

He was worth $24.6 billion in March 2020, surpassed $100 billion in August 2020, $200 billion in 2021, $300 billion later that year, $400 billion in December 2024, and $500 billion in October 2025. His lead over the second-richest person, Google co-founder Larry Page, now sits at $425 billion.

SpaceX’s growth, particularly through Starlink’s expansion to over three million subscribers and ventures into aviation and maritime internet services, is a key driver of Musk’s wealth surge. 

Tesla, despite slower sales, has seen its stock climb 13% this year, partly due to investor confidence in Musk’s robotics and autonomous vehicle ambitions.

If the SpaceX IPO meets its projected valuation, Musk could soon become the first trillionaire in history.

The collaboration, announced on Wednesday, will see Starlink’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites integrated into Vodacom’s network to provide faster, more reliable internet access for remote communities and businesses. 

The agreement also authorises Vodacom to resell Starlink’s equipment and services across its African markets, opening new possibilities for small businesses, schools, and health centres in areas where traditional infrastructure is expensive or impractical.

Vodacom, majority-owned by Britain’s Vodafone, said the partnership is an important step in its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to grow its customer base from 223 million to 260 million and expand financial services users to 120 million within five years. 

In adding satellite connectivity to its mix of 4G, 5G, fibre, and microwave services, the company is moving closer to universal coverage across the continent.

Chief Executive Officer Shameel Joosub described the partnership as essential to achieving inclusive connectivity across Africa. “We are delighted to collaborate with Starlink, a move that accelerates our mission to connect every African to the internet. Low Earth orbit satellite technology will help bridge the digital divide where traditional infrastructure is not feasible, and this partnership will unlock new possibilities for the unconnected,” he said.

For Starlink, which is already operational in 25 African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia, the agreement supports its expansion through an established telecom operator with deep local reach. 

Chad Gibbs, vice president of Starlink Operations at SpaceX, noted the partnership’s value: “Starlink is already serving people, businesses, and organisations in 25 African countries. By collaborating with Vodacom, Starlink can deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity to even more customers, transforming lives and communities across the continent.”

Beyond consumer access, Vodacom plans to provide bespoke enterprise solutions powered by Starlink’s satellite technology. These include backup internet services, connectivity packages for remote sites, and flexible plans for industries such as mining, oil and gas, agriculture, tourism, and finance, sectors where downtime can mean significant losses.

The deal also strengthens Vodacom’s competitive stance against MTN Group, which has been exploring its own satellite partnerships. 

Vodafone, Vodacom’s parent company, has already aligned with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and AST SpaceMobile, showing a pivot among global telecom operators towards hybrid terrestrial-satellite networks.

On Starlink’s portal, neighbourhoods such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, Surulere, and several estates in Abuja now carry a bold “Sold Out” notice. 

Users attempting to subscribe are prompted to pay a deposit to secure a place in line. A message displayed to applicants in Chevyville Estate, Lekki, reads: “Starlink service is currently at capacity in your area. However, the good news is you can still place a deposit now to reserve your spot on the waitlist and receive a notification as soon as service becomes available again.”

In November 2024, Starlink also suspended nationwide sales for almost eight months, pointing to bandwidth shortages and unresolved disputes with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over tariff approvals. 

New activations only resumed in June 2025, after the company secured regulatory clearance and upgraded parts of its infrastructure.

An engineer working with Starlink, who spoke to TechCabal, explained the reasoning behind the pause: “It happens when the area cannot take a new customer due to its designed capacity at the time. This also ensures optimal network connectivity for the other users within the same geographical area.” 

Expanding this capacity, he added, often requires either new satellite launches or regulatory permissions to build more ground infrastructure.

High Costs and Shrinking Base

Starlink’s service has become more expensive since its 2022 entry into Nigeria. The monthly subscription has climbed from around ₦38,000 to nearly ₦56,000 by 2025, with hardware kits priced between ₦300,000 and ₦670,000 depending on the model. The company blamed the naira’s depreciation, operating costs, and compliance with NCC regulations.

The hikes triggered strong complaints from users. In October 2024, the NCC sanctioned Starlink for unauthorised increases, noting breaches of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act. The regulator forced a rollback from ₦75,000 to ₦38,000 monthly before eventually approving moderated adjustments in early 2025.

But the damage was already visible. NCC data shows active Starlink subscribers fell from 65,564 in Q4 2024 to 59,509 in Q1 2025, a 9% drop and the company’s first decline in Nigeria since launch. Analysts pointed to high tariffs, economic hardship, and service delays from capacity freezes as key drivers of the fall.

Network Quality Under Scrutiny

Even with over 6.2 million global users as of July 2025 and more than 900 satellites launched this year, Starlink’s speeds in Nigeria remain below regional averages. Reports place its Nigerian download speeds at 49.6 Mbps, significantly lower than Botswana’s 106.4 Mbps. Experts attribute the gap to fewer satellites serving Nigeria, overcrowded cells in major cities, and a limited number of terrestrial Points of Presence.

Alternatives Emerging

While Starlink remains Nigeria’s largest satellite internet provider, its difficulties have opened room for competitors. YahClick, supported by Nigerian ISPs, offers plans from ₦25,000 per month. Tizeti has rolled out solar-powered broadband at ₦5,000 monthly, targeting underserved communities. Eutelsat Konnect, though pricier at $18,500 per month, promises up to 100 Mbps speeds.

Starlink’s issues in Nigeria is a pattern across Africa. Countries such as Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have also faced pauses in urban areas where demand has outpaced available capacity. Yet, Nigeria’s sheer scale, driven by remote work, e-learning, and video streaming, means that congestion here poses a sharper challenge.

Thousands of Nigerian households are now on waiting lists, uncertain when—or if—Starlink will open the door again.